Chelsea manager-in-waiting Ancelotti fires title warning to Fergie

Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea’s manager-in-waiting, saluted Sir Alex Ferguson’s title triumph last night, then warned that the Scotsman will not have it all his own way next season.

Title target: Ancelotti

AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat by Udinese last night leaves Ancelotti vulnerable to dismissal by owner Silvio Berlusconi. They failed to guarantee themselves a Champions League place for next season and handed the title to former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now in charge of bitter rivals Inter.

But a source close to negotiations with Chelsea revealed yesterday that Ancelotti had already made up his mind to move to London before last night’s defeat.

Ancelotti said: ‘My compliments to Sir Alex Ferguson for his victory. They have had, and they are still having, an extraordinary season. I have great respect for Manchester United.

‘The Premier League is very competitive and there are other teams who can win next season.’

A source close to the deal with Chelsea said last night: ‘Carlo really looks as though he is going to Chelsea now, though some people at Milan are still trying to persuade him to stay. The fact Berlusconi isn’t one of those people has helped Ancelotti make up his mind.’